Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-02-18

door and presented him with note
sealed with the blood-red seal of the
castle-arms. 1t was an invitation TO
dine at the castle with company of no.
blemen and officers OF the army. His
lordship, who had also fought at Water
loo, had just learned thata cOmrade was
living on his estate, and made haste to
do him honor, and secure famous
go,.t for his dinner party.
The old soldier rose up proudly and
gave the lackey military salute.
"Tell his lordship." he said, "that |
shall report myself at headquarters, and
present my thanks for the honor he has
done me-"
The lackey galloped off, and the vet
eran pushed his chair over with his
wooden leg, and clattered across the cot
tage floor.
"Ho, Peggy?" he cried, "did | not
say that luck comes and trouble flies if
you only face the enemy long enough?
This is the beginning of good things, |
tell YOU. A hero of Waterloo, and fit
to dine with lords and generals, will
certainly have other good fortune COM
! ing to him, till he can keep his wife and
daughters like princesses. Just wait
bit and you shall see" and he turned
hastily away, for his heart came up in
his throat so that he could not speak.
All the rest of the day he sat in the
door, brushing and darnng and polish
ing his stained uniform. 1t had lain
abandoned on the shelf for many year,
but before night every button was shin
ing like gold, the scarlet cloth was al
most fresh once more, and the old SOL
def, wrapped in his faithful cloak, was
making his way joyfully across the
heathery moors to the castle quite at
the other side.
But when he had fairly reached it,
and the servant had shown him into the
drawing room, his heart almost failed
him for a moment. Such splendor he
had never seen before-a thOusandth
part would have brought health and
happiness for the dear ones lie had left
with only his brave good bye and
fresh rosebud to comfort them.
However, what with the beautiful la
dies of the castle gathering round him
to ask questions about the battle and
with a seat near his lordship's right
hand at dinner, he soon picked up pagain,
and began to realize how delightful
every thing was. But that was the very
thing that almost spoiled the whole
again, for when he saw his plate COW
cred with luxuries and delicacies more
than he could possibly eat, the thought
of the black bread he had left at the cot
tage brought the tears rushing to his
eyes.
But Cut" he said to himself in great
dismay, "what all ungrateful poltroon
his lordship will think he has brought
here ~ and he managed to brush them
off while no one was looking.
1t was delicious, though. in spite of
every thing, and after while the wine
began to fow-that warmed his very
heart-and then he heard his lordship
calling to servant to bring him some
thing from his private desk, saying:
| n I nh n
the prOudest treasure | possess. This
| diamond snuff-box was presented TO me
by the stout old Blucher himself, in re-
membrance of service | was able 20 per-
| form at Waterloo. Not that | was
whit worthier of it than the brave fei-
lows under my command-understand
thatw
How the diamonds glistened and
CLEANED as the box was passed from
hand to hand! As if the thickest clus-
terof stars you ever saw could shine
out in the midst of yellow sunset sky,
and the colors of a rainbow could
twinkle through them at the same time!
1t was superb, but then that was
nothing compared to the glory Of re-
ceiving it from Blucher.
Then there was more wine and story
telling, and at last some one asked to
! look at the snuff box again.
"Has any one the snuff-box at pres
ent?" asked his lordship, rather lnx-
iously, for as he turned TO reach IL no
snuff box was to be seen.
No one said Eyes" for everyone was
sure he had passed it to his neighbor,
and they searched up and down the
table with CONSERVATION in their faces,
for the snuff-box could not have Gisap-
peared without hands, but to say so was
TO touch the honor OF gentlemen and
soldiers.
At last one of the most famous officers
rose from his seat:
"My lord" he said, "a very unlucky
accident must have occurred here. Some
one of us must have slipped the box into
his pocket unconsciously, mistaking IL
for his own. will take the lead in
searching mine, if the rest of the COM
pany will follow"
Agreed" said the rest, and each
guest in turn went to the bottom Of one
pocket after another, but still no snuff
box, and the distress of the com pany in
creased. The oil soldiers turn came
last. and with it came the surprise.
With burning cheeks aud arms folded
closely across his breast he stood up and
confronted the company like stag at
bay.
mo-" he exclaimed, "no one shall
search my pockets. Would you doubt